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In the heart of the Baguio city, just at the hill top is located the Baguio Cathedral. It is a beautiful pink colored church with two spires which are tall enough to attract the tourists from far away. The Baguio Cathedral offers the churchgoers and visitors a chance to get a picturesque view of the entire Baguio city. The Baguio Cathedral was consecrated in 1936 and is dedicated to Our Lady of Atonement. It was originally referred to as "Kampo" by the native Ibalois. Later, it began to be called Mount Mary by a Belgian Catholic Mission headed by Father. Carlu, who was then the parish priest. During the Second World War, Baguio Cathedral was the main center where some 5,000 local people took shelter against the Japanese bombing of the city in 1945. The graves of some of the victims of the bombing may be seen even today in the cathedral grounds. The Baguio Cathedral is the biggest Catholic Church in Baguio and is the center of religious activities. During the Holy Week, thousands of devotees from Manila and the adjoining provinces come up to visit the church. During Sundays and other special holidays of the catholic church, you will find vendors sitting along the stairway and in the church's patio selling flowers, balloons, candles, sweepstake tickets, rosary beads, and various other religious articles. The pedestrians can reach Baguio Cathedral from the Session Road by ascending the long concrete hundred stairways. However, visitors and churchgoers can avoid this climbing difficulty by driving vehicles through a road passing behind the nearby post office building. Thus, Baguio Cathedral is one of the most visited religious landmarks which dot the city. You can also visit the nearby Bell Temple, the Maryhurst Seminary having brilliant gardens, and Lourdes Grotto with its 252 steps to heaven.
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